Women's fashion is always a highlight of the Melbourne Cup and the Spring Racing Carnival in general. Here are some tips for ladies looking to head along to the race day on November 5:

Use colour blocking. This can involve wearing one colour from head to toe, or utilising two contrasting colours

Try white garments with bright accessories

Opt for lace trims and accessories

Adopt a 40s vintage style

Small hats rather than wide brimmed

Always pay attention to the dress code of the day, such as Black and White for Derby Day and brighter colours for Oaks Day.

Don't be caught out thinking that races fashion is simply a ladies game. Here are a few simple tips guaranteed to raise your trackside style stakes:

Suits

It's difficult not to look great in a suit but whether its old, or new, black to blue it never hurts to have options. This year expect to see a lot of navy, vivid blues & silvers at the racetrack. So why not opt for something different & treat yourself to a different colour to last year?

Remember, just make sure the fit is perfect. If in doubt, head to your local tailors for those finishing nips & tucks. Trust us, it will be worth it.

Shirts

Having picked out your suit its time to decide what goes underneath. With a multitude of options its really up to you to decide what you like best / what you feel most comfortable in.

The easy option would be to go for a white shirt but this year expect to see a splash of colour. Pastels & muted colours are very popular currently so why not try mint, lilac or even sky blue for a subtle yet classic look. And if you're a bit more 'out there' then try a bold pattern, just make sure its in the same colour family as your suit.

Accessories

Accessories will complete your look & take it to the next level of sophistication. Unlike the ladies we have limited options & so more chances of hitting a win!

Ties / Bowties
- go for a style that you like & complements your personality. As a general rule, the busier the shirt the simpler the tie & view versa. Deeper shades look great with dark suits & lighter, pastels will complement a lighter, grey / silver suit. Best thing to do is try a selection on & see what you like the best.

If you opt for a bowtie then you will need to just embrace it. If it's not you or you're not going to feel comfortable in it then opt for a classic tie. There's nothing that can bring down your look more than not feeling comfortable in what you are wearing.

Tie pins
– practical & stylish this little piece of metal will prevent your tie from blowing up in your face & will have your suit looking a million bucks. No-one need ever know any different!

Cufflinks
- Play around with these. Whether you match to the colour of your suit or go for a monogram a great set of cufflinks will always look dapper.

Shoes

Having spent a heap of time getting the suit & shirt right don't spoil it with shoddy footwear – I can guarantee if you do then this is the first place that eyes will wander…and that's not exactly what we'd be hoping for after all!

Match your shoes to your belt: A rule that has stood the test of time & one we always recommend you adhere too.

Keep them clean: Obvious, easy & to be honest – a pretty reasonable request. It doesn't matter how expensive they were, where they're from. If there's a film of filth, dust, mud or anything else that shouldn't be on there then you may as well not have bothered!

White socks? Not such a delight! Unless you've got some sort of funky design going on down there that complements your look & personality then you want to keep them hidden. A gleaming pair of white socks poking out from under your dress pants are always going to stick out like a sore thumb – put them away.